Page 33 - Journal of Library Science in China 2020 Vol.46

032 Journal of Library Science in China, Vol.12, 2020

present, there is a lack of complete working mechanism and theoretical system for the selection
and training of librarians, which is an urgent problem to be solved in theoretical research.
In a word, the traditional business processes may disappear, and new business processes will
need to be developed. This will push people to think deeply about the concept, connotation, core
businesses and service mode of the library. The research object and theoretical approaches of
library science may change, requiring us to follow trends of the reality of practice in the library,
and study the development of the theoretical system of library science in these new context. Only
in this way can we provide guidance to the steady development of smart library.
At this stage, the theoretical research of smart library should also focus on the effective
combination of theories and practice. The two shall achieve simultaneous development, which
requires integration in three aspects. The first is the integration of theoretical research and
library practice. In order to strengthen the connection and academic exchanges between the
studies of library science and practical work, researchers need to go deep into the library context
as part of the process of academic research, uncover various problems in the construction and
development of smart library, actively apply for and carry out relevant research projects, analyze
and summarize problems encountered in academic research based on the actual situation, track
the application of new ideas and technologies, and explore the needs of smart library. This will
help scholars to deepen their understanding of relevant concepts of smart library, enrich their
theoretical research, and better guide the construction practice of smart library. The second is
the integration of library science and other disciplines. In order to promote the innovation of the
theory and practice of smart library, the discipline of library science should actively engage in
academic exchanges and mutual learning with other related disciplines. For example, computer
science is closely related to the research and development and utilization of new technologies, and
guiding the development of technologies with disciplinary concepts of the library can promote
the smart transformation and upgrading of the library. Another example is the newly emerged
data analysis and data science, which are closely related to the digitization of library resources
and the collation, analysis and utilization of open data. Library science shall provide application
scenarios for the other related disciplines, and the other disciplines shall provide support for
solving problems encountered in the construction of smart library with their theories. Finally, the
integration of policies and regulations issued by the cultural administration with the practice of
the library. The relevant national cultural administration, research institutions and agencies of the
industry shall design policies that are in line with the development needs of smart library, provide
stronger leadership, launch research projects, and support innovative basic theoretical research
and major scientific research projects involving key technologies, construction standards and
specifications of smart library.